North Korean
M-2010

6x6 APC derived from BTR-80

By Massimo Tessitori

In the same parade of 2010 where the new M-2010 8x8, derived from
BTR-80, was revealed, it was shown also a 6x6 version of the vehicle.

The hull was clearly shortened, but the part of the side around the
door is different: it is longer and higher than on the 8x8, and
the division line between the lower and upper side part is higher; the
door is closer to the ground, and hinged on the lower plate instead
of the upper one; one can see a footstep under it.

Only one firing hatch, located on the door, was preserved on each
side.

Another image of the 6x6, including some 8x8 on its background, allows
some more comparisons.

The total length reduction of 6x6, compared to 8x8, can be esteemed
as the step between the axis of the 1st and 2nd wheel of the 8x8, minus
the additional length of the side door zone, that is wider on the 6x6..

Another image of 6x6.

A profile of the 6x6.

The rear of the turret has the same box-like structure, surmounted
by a cupola, of the 8x8.

Note that the most part of 6x6 haven't the visible cylindrical housing
of the night vision device, that is standard on the 8x8.

An image of the 6x6 from the rear.

Here we can see how the rear plate is less wide than on BTR-80 (just
as its big sister 8x8), and divided into an upper and lower part
with different inclination.

The cupola behind the turret, probably a protection for a NBC ventilation
intake, is located on the right side of the box-like rear extension
of the turret.

One can vaguely see the extension of the turret on its rear-left part
to locate the gunner's circular hatch.

A sharp (although deformed by a fish-eye) view of a camouflaged 6x6.
The 4 shades camouflage is extended on the wheels and tyres too.
The gunner protrudes from his hatch on the rear-left part of the turret
and seems to sit on its rear edge, a position allowing him to operate
the SAM.

Another image of the same, or similar 6x6. This is equipped
with the night vision device protected by a cylindrical cover. with
a flat removable cover on its front.
The box under the exhaust pipe protection and some tools is noteworthy.

The coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, protruding its barrel from a vertical
slot on the side of the main guns pack, is clearly visible.

Here is a collection of details of the left side of the hull of vehicles
seen in the parade of 2013.

Many details of the hand grips, door with firing hatch, external loads,
water jet inlets, rear plate with water jet outlets are visible.

Note that the lower part of the rear plate is very different from that
of the 8x8, being more vertical and with two water jet outlets instead
of a central one.

Some images of the turret, forthemost from 8x8; the 6x6
is identical, but the night vision device and its cover are often absent.
We can see:

The thin slot around the front part of the night vision front cover,
that is removable, is vaguely visible on the photo; from available
images, no wide hinges or other details look present.

The images above show the front-side of the turret, armed with two
RPK 14.5 mm machine guns and one coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, firing
from a vertical slot that is hidden by the frame around the flat front
plate.

A searchlight apparently similar to that of T-62 is solidal to
the machine guns support for elevation; it is installed above this,
in central position.

There are 3 smoke mortars on each side of the turret.

Good details of the left side and rear of the turret of a 6x6 taking
during the parade of 2013. Differently from previously seen vehicles,
these ones are provided with the night visor housing on theirturret.

The turret itself is fundamentally conical, with a flattened part on
its front for the guns slots and a cylindrical protrusion on the rear/left
for the gunner's hatch; the port is circular, but flattened on the side
where it is hinged.

The rear box-like extension has a cylindrical protrusion surmounted
by a cupola on the right of its top; such extension seems the intake
of the NBC air filter/ventilator.

The pole for the Manpad SAM is located on its top, in a more or less
central position.

This image is, at the moment, the best we have to see the top of
the 6x6 armoured car.

We see, from the turret to the rear:

a rectangular hatch, probably for the infantry;

a box;

a cooling hatch;

what seems the outline of a raised hinged panel, with a cooling
opening on it.

Image copyright: Ryugyong

Below, we see a comparison between the 8x8 rear deck and the 6x6 one.

Above: three upper views of the 8x8 allow to see the configuration
of the rear deck. From the turret, we find:

a wide box, perhaps for the Manpad sam when not installed on the
turret; on its right, there is what seems a mushroom-shaped protection
for a fan.

an hatch, probably for the infantry;

a window protected by a grille for the engine cooler;

a box containing a door to close the cooler when wading;

a large hand grip; probably this plate is hinged on its rear to
give access to the engine; on the left side of this plate, another
smaller window is probably the exit for hot air moved by a centrifugal
ventilator, that creates suction on the cooler window; note the abundant
space between the outlet window and the rear end of the plate.

Another image of 8x8 from the top; it is less clear about the engine
deck, but it shows clearly the top of the turret:

the shape is conical, with a flattened zone on its front, a box-like
structure on its rear, with a cylindrical structure covered by a cupola
that could be the aspiration of the main ventilation/NBC filter.

the circular hatch of the gunner, on the left, is protruding on
the rear; its door is flattened on the hinge side.

in front of the gunner's hatch, there is the protection of a night
vision device (usually absent on 6x6); aside it, there is a pivoting
hyposcope for the gunner; another pivoting hyposcope seems to be on
the right side of the turret's top.

the small thing on the top's rear is a backwards-oriented cat-eye
light.

it's unclear if the shape of the hatches is perfectly circular, or
has two flattened parts on the rear and opposite-to the hinges side.

The available images of the rear deck of the 6x6 (above) aren't good,
but allow to see:

no wide box for the missile;

the hatch for the infantry was preserved;

a tall box with the width of the cooling window, probably containing
the cover for it divided into two parts to spare length, followed
by the window itself;

the inclined plate is shorter, and the fan outlet window is close
to the rear edge, in central position, or only slightly moved to the
left.

The engine deck was shortened and widely reorganized. This required
a deep reorganization of the engine and auxiliaries, includng the water
jets that were divided and put on the sides.

Below: images of the 6x6 rear plate (below) and of the 8x8 (below left).

One can see that the lower part of the rear plate is very different:
the 6x6 las a much less angulated one, nearly vertical, with two waterjet
hatches instead of one; the plate itseklf is reduced in height, but
there is one more oblique plate under it. The shape of the exhaust pipes
is different too, as those of 6x6 are not protruding from their cover.